The United States and 14 Latin American countries have banned travel from 29 Venezuelans, including President Nicolas Maduro and his allies.

The travel ban was passed by the US and representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Peru at a meeting in Bogota on December 3. These are all members of the Inter-American Mutual Treaty (TIAR), an agreement committed to mutual protection between the countries of the Organization of American States (OAS).

TIAR in September approved a decision to investigate, punish and extradite top government officials from Maduro's government on charges of money laundering, drug trafficking and terrorism.

The list of people banned from traveling in 15 TIAR countries includes Maduro's close officials such as Secretary of State Jorge Arreaza, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and Diosdado Cabello. This is considered part of a diplomatic effort to force Maduro to resign.

Vice President Venezulea Cabello has strongly condemned the ban. "I oppose the imperialist and allied North American intervention plots in Venezuela's internal affairs. Venezuela needs to be respected," he said yesterday.

Julio Borges, who attended the meeting on December 3 as the representative of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, said about 500 people related to Maduro would be affected by various sanctions.

The Venezuelan political crisis intensified when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president in January and was backed by the United States and many of its allies. Under the pressure of US sanctions, the economy of the country also suffered a severe crisis, rising inflation, lack of food, medicine as well as necessary electricity.

President Maduro still receives the backing of the Venezuelan military as well as China, Cuba, Russia and many other countries. Maduro has repeatedly criticized Guaido as America's "puppet", but has also tried to find a way to negotiate with the opposition.